A support programme for teachers working in increasingly diverse school environments
Since 2023, the British Council in Poland has been developing a programme aimed at supporting entire school communities – particularly teachers – in working with classes that are becoming increasingly diverse in terms of language and ethnicity.
Currently, children with a foreign background make up 3.4% of all pupils in Polish schools, and this number continues to rise. Students come from a wide range of countries, including Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Vietnam, Georgia, and China. The largest group is made up of Ukrainian pupils, a direct result of Russia’s invasion in 2022.
This growing diversity, along with the varied educational needs of students, has created a sustained demand among schools and teacher training institutions for high-quality training – not only as short-term support, but as a long-term investment in teacher development.
In response to these needs, the British Council in Poland – drawing on its own research and working in partnership with the Centre for Education Development (ORE) and regional teacher training centres – has been delivering training for both primary and secondary school teachers. It also shares insights and findings from its work at a range of educational conferences.
We encourage you to explore our latest report, based on the Teaching English in Multicultural Classrooms training series delivered in cooperation with ORE. This programme brought together teacher trainers from nine different regions across Poland.
Participants gained knowledge and skills in areas such as:
- Understanding inclusion as a lens through which to view classroom practice,
- Practical strategies for supporting pupils who have experienced trauma,
- Opportunities for professional collaboration and exchange of experience.
This programme serves as a strong example of how teacher training can lead to a lasting and meaningful impact.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us directly at: ese@britishcouncil.pl